After pursuing his masters in Analytics and Finance at the Columbia University, New York, Varun Gupta joined Calco Poly Technik, as director where his focus has always been in creating efficient products for the plastic industry that have minimal impact on the environment
I have a post graduate degree in engineering from Delhi, I moved to the US and pursued Master’s in Analytics and Finance to hone my business skills at Columbia University, New York. With rich professional experience of 8+ years across functions like corporate finance, business development, I had a brief stint in a hedge fund management company at the Wall Street in New York. There, I analysed investment strategies and made recommendations to hedge fund for investments.
I have also worked with Dr. Bernd H Schmitt who is a renowned professor of international marketing at the Columbia Business School, wherein I assisted him with the launch of his book “Big Think Strategy” and the BRITE Conference. Thereafter, I joined Calco and commenced its transformational journey, reaching out to different market areas and expanding dealership networks outside India.
Under my leadership, Calco Group has focused extensively on sustainable solutions for the plastic industry. I even spearheaded technology transfer from DRDO for green technology in plastics in 2011. Since 2012, I am actively engaged in managing Calco Poly Technik, which produces high-performance engineering plastic to leading OEM’s and Suzuki, Volvo, Daimler, TVS, Honda, Havells, Phillips, Panasonic, Legrand…to name a few!
"The most important requirement in today’s time is high fuel efficiency, low CO2 emission, better aesthetics. Our products are innovated around these three attributes "
Calco is one of the leading providers of high-performance polymer, colour and additive solutions with an experience of over 18 years and serving more than 1000 customers. The company has invested in state of the art equipment, technology and people empowerment. The company is a global solution provider offering end-to-end solution encompassing product development from concept to product realisation. The real difference is process expertise, efficient implementation. Calco relies on slim-line processes, a high degree of automation and flat hierarchies.
India is predominantly a net importer of engineering polymers. Over the past few years, due to accelerating growth in the industry, high-performance materials are either imported or made by foreign corporates with a manufacturing facility in India. However, with a surge in demand in the polymer market, we observed that there was a requirement for an Indian producer who could meet international standards and provide an innovative solution at a significant cost advantage. This led us to start Calco.
For creating Calco, a lot of research was undertaken. First and foremost was to understand the potential customers and their product expectations which was followed by mapping the gap in the current delivery systems and positioning ourselves in the mature market. Later on came the creation of infrastructure, team and products in accordance with customer requirements. This was done profusely—we created achievable targets, resulting in consistent year-on-year growth.
The plastic and polymer market is on an upward spiral. Currently, India has a per capita consumption of 11kg, whereas the global figure stands over 80kg. However, the growth of plastics is over 14 per cent in India. Considering India’s growing per capita income and a large portion of the population moving to urban areas with better ability to spend money, we expect 20% year-on-year growth.
We have been catering to neighbouring countries which are similar to India and have a large portion of lower and middle-class segments. Such strata are gradually moving upwards with higher expectations and have the ability to spend on the so-called-luxury items. In the near future, we aspire to have our presence in all global major automobile manufacturing hubs, organic or inorganic in nature.
The most important requirement in today’s time is high fuel efficiency, low CO2 emission, better aesthetics. Our products are innovated around these three attributes that make the job of product designers easier.
Our focus has always been in creating efficient products that have minimal impact on the environment. We have developed safe flame retardant products that meet all environmental regulations and which have a safe after usage disposal.
We consciously make an effort towards creating a better environment for the present as well as future generations. A major concern we face today is selfawareness about responsible use of plastics, its disposal and reusability
At Calco, we believe in the lean, flexible manufacturing of goods. We also focus on flat hierarchy which puts costs in check and gives better control across different systems and responsibilities. We are capable to service smaller as well as bulk lots within a 24-hour period. This gives us a substantial edge over our competitors in the market. At the same time, this assists our customers to save on inventory costs and maximise profitability from their working capital.
We are setting up a new plant in Sonipat, Haryana with an investment of Rs.50 crore. The facility will be the second plant for the company and will be equipped with a fully integrated testing lab facility. It is expected to be operational by the mid of 2019 with a total capacity of 30,000 tonnes.
As a part of the Swacch Bharat Mission initiative which has commercialised indigenous technology developed by DRDO, Ministry of Defence for ecofriendly solution to the waste management problem, the Government along with the society have been making an effort to reduce plastic waste. We have been trying diligently to make a difference from our end and almost all our products are created with a single focus on sustainability. This is done either by using recycled polymers, using green chemistry chemicals or reducing the carbon footprint of our manufacturing process.
We consciously make an effort towards creating a better environment for the present as well as future generations. A major concern we face today is self-awareness about responsible use of plastics, its disposal and reusability. The fact that it can be recycled doesn’t give anybody a right to resort to littering.
It is one of our priorities to build talent and support the development of our employees and help them grow to the next level. We find the best talent straight from colleges, through campus placement drives. The youth has an unadulterated approach towards corporate life and can be moulded as per the respective vertical or domain, as young blood is ready to unlearn theoretical concepts. Such fresh minds come up with innovative and practical solutions. We conduct numerous training sessions as well as workshops for our employees.
By Orchie Bandyopadhyay
